Summary

Chapter 1

The first chapter introduces Edith Lavery, the main character, as well as the voice of the unnamed narrator, from whose point of view most of the story is told. Edith and the narrator first meet through mutual friends, David and Isabel Easton. Isabel and the narrator are childhood friends. Isabel and David are an affluent couple who live in Sussex, in a nice home near Broughton Hall, the large estate where Lord and Lady Uckfield live with their son, Charles Broughton.

The narrator meets Edith when they are both invited to stay with the Eastons in Sussex. She is pretty and charming, and the narrator likes her immediately. During their visit, Edith suggests they take a tour of Broughton Hall, which is partly open to the public. She does not realize this is a sore subject with David, who as a wealthy member...